Office of Sustainability Coming Soon

by Devin Katayama on August 22, 2011

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer is searching for a director for his proposed Office of Sustainability, a position he says would more than pay for itself.

Fischer campaigned in part on making Louisville more green and energy efficient. During the race he said he would create an Office of Sustainability, which would encourage residents, businesses and government to think green. Now, candidates for the director’s position are being considered, said officials. And Fischer wants the office filled within a couple months, he said.

“This position will more than pay for itself because of the reduction in energy cost that comes from this person,” said Fischer.

Fischer said the Office of Sustainability director would be someone who could think broadly about how the city could benefit from various energy efficient ideas.

“Most of our energy cost takes place in buildings, number one, and then getting people out of their cars and onto alternative transportation means is a big part of it as well,” said Fischer who explained how the position might operate.

The office became controversial last year after Fischer was accused of asking then-independent mayoral candidate Jackie Green to step down in exchange for influence over the department. Both parties denied this was true. But Fischer says he wouldn’t mind Green’s participation in his cabinet.

“Well not as an employee. Jackie’s got some great ideas about sustainability and we’ll be putting some type of advisory group together. If he wanted to participate in that we’d certainly be open to it.”

Funding for the Office of Sustainability became available in July. The director will be paid around $100,000 with benefits totaling around $140,000.